W.I.M.P? PART 59

QUESTION:
Michael elects to take relief from a fixed bench and lifts his ball. He then realises that the only area in which he may drop his ball will give him a more difficult shot than from his original lie. He replaces his ball and plays it from its original position. What is the ruling?

He should play from the new relief point, otherwise he will incur penalty for lifting the ball without valid reason.

Next time, don't lift the ball first. This will allow him to have option to play from original position.

Can he declared unplayable before he lift it from the bench and place it behind and away from the pin ? Plus 1 stroke ?

Uncle Lau wrote:

Can he declared unplayable before he lift it from the bench and place it behind and away from the pin ? Plus 1 stroke ?

Yes he can.
However, the bench is a free relief, why should he declare unplayable? The situation may be the same, end up with the same difficult position.

ANSWER:
Michael incurs a penalty of one stroke for lifting his ball in play. Decision 18-2a/12.
When he decided not to take relief from the immovable obstruction, Michael's right to lift the ball was negated.

Drop it(not place it) at the bench again lor.